I love Europe...the quaint old houses, flowers everywhere and church bells just fill me up!

I think the church bells are what I love best as every little village seems to have at least two churches.

The Mosel River is one of my favourite rivers in Germany and twist and turns its way down to Luxemberg. There are ancient castels standing guard and the steep hills are covered in vineyards.

The wine isn't bad either :) Bernkastel is one of my all time favourite villages and it was wonderful wondering the streets before the stores open to enjoy the ambience.

I sat on a doorstep and did a quick sketch of this Cafe. The church was next door and the bells were peeling - absolutel heaven!

We had an amazing cruise down the beautiful rivers of Europe and visited Amsterdam and then down the Rhein River the Mosel River and visited Strassbourg in France and Colmar in France ending in Basel, Switzerland.

More later... this is one of the little quick sketches I did along the way.

I leave tomorrow for a River Cruise in Europe. We start in Amsterdam, down the Rhine River, Moselle River and then back down the Rhine to Basel, Switzerland.

I have my sketch book packed plus a few paints so hopefully I will get some time to capture some of the local scenes.

If you have never taken a river cruise - plan to! This will be our second and they are truly wonderful.

Mind you I will have to roll down the gang plank as I probably will gain 10 lbs.

BON VOYAGE

This is a painting of my grandmother's biscuit jar. I thought a few roses with it would be a great touch.

I was recently on a mini holiday on the West Coast of Vancouver Island and while walking the beach I went into the Carving Hut. When I mentioned that I had painted a gentleman carving many years ago they were very excited as he was the master carver and has passed away.

I caught these two little sisters on the beach last week and thought it would make a painting. The older one was very protective of her little sister as you can see from the stance.

I really love the west coast of Vancouver Island and I took some great pictures to paint. This particular pic is called Crystal Cove and I hope to get it started soon.

Don't we all love Maxine? She always has great words to share

Having birthdays are getting to be exhausting :) Yesterday was a milestone "70" and hopefully I will be wiser, stronger and more fun! This picture was taken when I was about 2 years old I guess..the only similarity is that I am still pudgy :)

I had a wonderful pary and was given a bouquet of 70 flowers! My cup runneth over!